Key-receptacle



T. B. JEFPERY. KEY REOEPTAGLE.

No. 405,843. Patented June 25, 1889.

weedcieef' Jaye wm @m. j WW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS l3. JEFFERY, OF RAVEI SIVOOD, ILLINOIS.

KEY-RECEPTACLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 405,843, dated June 25, 1889.

Application filed November 28,1888. Serial No. 292,084:- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. J EFFERY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ravenswood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Receptacles, which are set forth in the following specification, ref erence being had to the accompanying-drawings, forming a part thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my key-receptacle, shown in connection with the two abutting parts, which are supposed to be locked together by the lock to which the key in the receptacle pertains, said abutting parts being broken away to show the receptacle. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same device open, as in position for receiving or permitting the withdrawal of the key, and showing the key therein and partly withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a front view of the same, partly in section.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a suitable receptacle in which a key pertaining to the lock of a door, cabinet, drawer, or box may be deposited. This receptacle will most frequently be used in such position that it will not be accessible when the two parts are locked togetherz'. 6., when the door, box, or other article is closedthe entrance to it in such case being at the plane of the abutting edges or surfaces of the locking parts, and in this relation it is represented in Fig. 1. however, is not the only relation in which the device can be used; but it may often be found convenient to use such receptacle for the deposit of a key which is to be used by a number of persons who are all advised of its position, the receptacle being merely placed in a convenient but inconspicuous location. Secondarily, my invention provides means for withdrawing the key from the receptacle, and incidentally I make the cover for the receptacle answer this purpose.

In the drawings, A represents a portion of one of the locked parts, as the door or doorj amb, box face or cover, drawer-head or cabinet-front. A is a cavity in the part A, which, as illustrated, is provided with a metallic lining B. This, however, may be omitted. If employed, it is preferably attached to the faceplate O, which is designed to be let into and secured flush with the abutting surface of This,

the locked part A. E, in Fig. 1, represents the other abutting locked part. Through the face-plate O, I make the opening O, of such size as to admit one or more keys, preferably or most conveniently edgewise. To the faceplate C, I connect the lever O by a pivot 0 and preferably make said lever wide enough to close the opening 0. I prefer to fit it into said opening so that when closed its surface will be flush with that of the face-plate O. I prefer, also, to pivot the lever C to the plate by means of lugs c and 0, respectively thrown up upon the inner surface of each, so that nothing shall protrude from the outer surface of either. From the lever C the projection 0 extends into the cavity A. Said projection has a lateral projection C extendin g transversely with respect to the cavity A, and, as illustrated, this projection consists of a small screw which is inserted through the projection 0 and preferably allowed to protrude on both sides of it. Additional holes 0 may be made in the projection C so that the screw 0 may be inserted at different positions. The lever O extends below its pivot O a short distance, forming the tail or heel C and to the inner surface of the face-plate C there is secured the spring D, having one end bearing against the tail C and tending to force the lever toward the face-plate and hold it with the projection 0 extending into the cavity A, and resist elastically the outward movement of the same.

F is the key, which is put in place by being first inserted longitudinally through the opening O in the face-plate into the cavity A far enough so that the projection C may enter the customary opening F in the key-stem. The lever C then being allowed to close, if wide enough to answer as a cover, conceals the key in the receptacle, and in any case holds it safely therein, and when it is desired to withdraw it the lever, being rocked outtime be retained in the deviceone at each side of the projection O operated by the two ends, respectively, of the screw, whose said ends constitute the projections C The additional holes 0 in the projection C are provided in order that the position of the projection C may be adapted to the size of the key or the position of the opening F therein.

Preferably the spring D is of such form and made to bear against the heel O at such point that the lever G will not stay out except while it is forcibly held out, the spring at all times tending to rock it in. It is only necessary that the lever should rock out far enough to permit the key to be withdrawn past the projections C 9 and C and the shoulders 0 may be made on the lugs c to stop the lever at that position and prevent it from being rocked so far over that the spring will not retract it. The reason for not allowing the lever to stand normally p'rojecting is that if accidentally left in this position it might be broken off in the closing of the drawer or door.

I claim.

1. In combination with the two abutting parts adapted to be locked together, a keyreceptacle in one of said parts having its entrance at the plane of their abutting edges, and a cover adapted to close said entrance, substantially as set forth.

2. I11 combination with the two abutting parts adapted to be locked together, a keyreceptacle in one of said parts having'its entrance at the plane of their abutting edges, and a spring-actuated cover pivoted. to such part and adapted to close said entrance, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with the two abutting parts adapted to be locked together, a keyreceptacle in one of said parts having its entrance at the plane of their abutting edges, and a key-withdrawing device jointed to the abutting part which contains said receptacle, and entering said receptacle and adapted to engage the key, substantially as set forth.

THOS. B. JEFFERY. WVitnessesi J EAN ELLIOTT, CHAS. S. BURTON. 

